BEREAVED families will not be banned from leaving flowers on memorial benches, a council has pledged in the face of a report by its officers claiming otherwise.

Last year, Maldon District Council’s community services committee voted to suspend sales of memorial benches at Maldon Cemetery and Promenade Park after concerns there were too many.

Council officers were also concerned the policy needed “refreshing and reviewing”.

But draft policy guidelines, set to be considered by the committee, suggest grieving families will be stopped from leaving any memorials, tributes or mementos on the benches or memorial trees as they are “outside a purchased formal burial plot”.

The report said this would include a ban on flowers, wreaths, statues, solar lights, balloons and vases.

But after being questioned on the policy by the Standard, the council has said it is “definitely not” banning people from placing flowers on benches.

The proposal had been criticised on social media by residents across the district.

Lindsey Abbott and Elaine Jackson’s mum has a bench in Promenade Park.

Lindsey said: “It’s very sad to think that the memorials — which are expensive — are then going to be dictated about.

“Ultimately, as a bereaved family member, we should be allowed to acknowledge precious memories and mark significant dates in a respectful manner.”

Elaine added: “When you’re going through bereavement it’s nice to have somewhere special to visit and have time with the loved one you’ve lost.

“We as a family like to remember special occasions by placing flowers to brighten it up, we always return to take away dead flowers and waste.”

Richard Holmes, director of customers and community at the council, said: “The report which is to be considered by the Community Services Committee, is seeking to clarify the existing regulations for our cemeteries and to introduce regulations in our parks and open spaces, so that officers can take action where, for example, flowers are left to die, Christmas wreaths are still in situ in September, or when memorabilia is broken or damaged and detracts from the overall setting.

“We are definitely not seeking to prevent the marking of benches and memorials with tributes, particularly on the occasions of their installation or significant dates, birthdays, anniversaries etc.”

Ron Pratt, chairman of the committee, said: “This report was brought to the community services committee in the latter part of last year.

"We sent it back and asked for it to be revised. Nothing has been decided.”

Mr Pratt said he would not support any suggestion families would not be allowed to leave flowers on benches